9 Toronto restaurants with jaw-dropping patios you need to visit before summer's gone
As summer winds down, there's still time to make the most of Toronto's patio scene before the warm days slip away.
Whether you're looking to soak up the last rays of sunshine or enjoy a breezy evening under the stars, Toronto's patios offer the perfect backdrop for your next outing.
With a variety of unique patios to choose from, these standout Toronto restaurants not only serve up delicious food and drinks but also boast patios that are truly jaw-dropping. Don't miss your chance to get out there to soak up the sun before the season comes to a close!
Paris Paris
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: International share plates
Address: 146 Ossington Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Charcuterie, meat, seafood, salads, pastas vegetarian dishes, and other nibbles make the beloved Paris Paris a Toronto foodie favourite, and their large front patio on Ossington is the icing on the cake.
Enjoy some shareable plates with friends over a few glasses of wine or house cocktails at this auto garage-turned-restaurant that specializes in seasonally inspired cooking and well-curated and crafted beverages. The restaurant’s patio is routinely packed all throughout the summer, and with good reason!
Bandit Brewery
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 2125 Dundas St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The spacious front patio at this local favourite craft brewery and restaurant - enclosed and heated in the cooler months, and left wide open through the summer - is a local hit all year round and it’s not hard to see why.
Bandit Brewery matches its rotating selection of creative craft beer offerings - from IPAs to fruited sours to dessert stouts - with a menu of elevated pub-style bites that are built for sharing with your favourite people while hanging out under the summer sun. What could be better?
The Porch
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Pub food
Address: 250 Adelaide St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: As far as the menu goes, The Porch might not be anything fancy; but for a fun, lively rooftop patio with great views of the city and the CN Tower, this popular summertime hang really brings the party vibes.
The drink list is extensive, if straightforward: think domestic beers like Bud Light and Shocktop, plus vodka lemonades and margarita buckets. Match those bevvies with pub-style patio bites like sandwiches, burgers, salads, chicken wings, and platters of nachos.
Pennies
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: American
Address: 127 Strachan Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: The patio at this popular spot always brings chill vibes, in part because Pennies is the perfect antidote to sticker shock this summer.
In a stormy sea of pricier restaurants, Pennies is all about cheap food & drink, with regular weekly specials on top of their already reasonably priced menu. Expect comfort foods like sliders, tacos, and hot dogs as well as options for vegetarian and vegan patrons; all served with a solid selection of cocktails, beer, and beyond. Weekday happy hour specials, $2 hot dog nights, and all-you-can-eat cheeseburger nights regularly draw a ravenous crowd.
Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 35 Tank House Ln., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Some locals may consider it overrated, but the Distillery District is inarguably one of Toronto’s prettiest little pockets, combining old-world charm with a wide variety of artisan shops, arts venues, and terrific restaurants.
One such restaurant is this beloved French bistro and bakery that happens to have a lovely side patio in the heart of the Distillery District, surrounded by vines and perfect for a relaxed summer brunch, lunch, or dinner centring menus of modern French cuisine, from salads to soups to tartines to steak frites and well beyond.
If you’re feeling extra peckish, there are multiple other great patios within spitting distance of Cluny: other Distillery favourites like El Catrin, Madrina, and Mill Street Brewery are also noteworthy destinations.
Amsterdam Brewhouse
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: American Pub Fare
Address: 245 Queens Quay W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Two words: Waterfront. Patio.
Located on the Toronto Harbourfront with gorgeous views of Lake Ontario, Amsterdam Brewhouse makes for a prime patio destination this summer.
Expect a stacked menu of tempting pub fare like burgers, sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, and shareable appetizers; all of it well paired with Amsterdam’s own acclaimed craft beer line, from their crushable 3 Speed lager to their punchy flagship IPA Boneshaker.
Lavelle
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: International
Address: 627 King St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: With an attractive, sprawling patio situated 16 storeys above ground, Lavelle is always a prime summer destination for good food, cocktails, and vibes.
Lavelle sets itself apart with its rooftop patio that has features including a lounge bar and a pool (yes, a pool), plus prime views of the city including the CN Tower. An internationally inspired menu of food and drink brings the goods with dishes like salads, share plates and steaks, but the unbeatable atmosphere is arguably this spot's biggest asset.
Lapinou Bistro
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: International
Address: 642 King St. W., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: You’d be forgiven for feeling like you’d teleported to a genuine bistro in Paris when you visit this gorgeous, secluded alleyway patio and take in some contemporary French cuisine.
Lapinou has received a nod from the Michelin Guide, and with good reason: With Parisian culinary roots and global influences, the menu traverses Italian, Middle Eastern, Latin, and Japanese cuisines deftly. Enjoy any of it on their lovely summer patio with a glass of wine or two, and you have the makings of an indulgent night out.
Lapinou Bistro website
Chula Taberna Mexicana
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: 421 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON
Why You Need To Go: Flavourful Mexican cuisine takes centre stage at this hip Leslieville restaurant, and it’s got two gorgeous patios to match.
With a menu favouring both traditional and modern takes on Mexican classics like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more - including a full plant-based range of dishes! - this place and its spacious patios practically scream ‘summer hang.’
Oh, and don’t worry — they’ve got plenty of tequila on hand.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on July 23, 2024.
